Aeroponic root leachate (ARL)-induced hatching as a sustainable strategy for the management of Globodera rostochiensis in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

One of the major challenges in potato farming across the globe is potato cyst nematodes (PCN). Aeroponic root leachate (ARL),collected from aeroponically grown potato plants, was evaluated for its potential to stimulate Globodera rostochiensis hatching in the absence of a host plant. In vitro assays showed that ARL collected from 30-day-old potato plants induced the highest number of juveniles (J2s) hatching (369 J2s; 48%), far exceeding that induced by root exudate (RE) (105 J2s; 12.6%). Among the tested dilutions, ARL diluted to 50% was most effective (940 J2s; 74.5%), while controls showed no hatching. Pot assays revealed that ARL diluted to 50% and 75% reduced viable eggs by 28.9% and 27.8%, respectively, compared with minimal reductions in controls (tap water; 4.7% and nutrient solution; 6.2%). Field assays (2018–2021) confirmed strong declines in cyst counts across all treatments, with the greatest reduction observed in T3 (ARL diluted to 50%). Initial viable egg populations (235–287 per cyst) declined markedly by 2021, with T3 (ARL diluted to 50%) and T2 (ARL diluted to 75%) showing 46.5% and 44.1% reductions, compared with controls (13.1% in tap water and 11.2% in nutrient solution). In dose-response assays, ARL triggered higher hatching (284 J2s) than α-chaconine (228 J2s at 100 µg/ml) and α-solanine (186 J2s at 1 µg/ml). Further, ARL-assisted potato farming (ARL-APF) showed lower cultivation costs (643.4 USD/ha), energy inputs (34.5 GJ/ha), carbon inputs (1023.2 kg CE/ha), and GHG emissions (3745.9 CO2-e kg/ha) over the conventional potato farming (CPF).